https://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news.atomCornucopia - News2018-02-02T12:49:00-08:00Cornucopiahttps://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news/10-reading-this-blog-series2018-02-02T12:49:00-08:002018-02-02T12:49:05-08:00#10: Reading this Blog SeriesMichelle Herrmann
If you've kept up with us since the very first blog post, #1: Sleeping, you've probably already experienced a boost to your health. Simply by reading about healthy habits increases your likelihood of actually doing them. We are products of our environment! Surround yourself with negative thoughts, emotions, words, or people and you are sure to feel worse. But - continue to think positively, to keep an open mind, to share your love with others, and to learn about ways you can improve your health and you are on your way to a cancer fighting lifestyle!

We've reminded you each week that, whether or not you actually have cancer, your bodies are fighting it each and everyday. "Healthy" bodies have cancer cells in them, it's just when our immune system is unable to get rid of those unhealthy cells when cancer becomes a real problem.

There are so many ways we can support our immune systems so we have a fighting chance. And there are at least 10 ways you are doing this everyday! So relax, enjoy your life, every moment. Learn how to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Focus on the abundance in your life instead of what's missing. Simply shifting this perspective is the key to unlocking all of life's happiness and pleasures.

Hopefully this series has brought you a little bit of peace and allowed you to pat yourself on the back for some of the simple things you're already doing to support your body against cancer. Take some time to reflect on all the good that you've done this week whether that's through self-care, prayer, acts of kindness, or simply taking a deeper breath. Enjoy!

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https://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news/9-praying2018-02-02T12:13:00-08:002018-02-02T12:13:55-08:00#9: PrayingMichelle Herrmann
Mind. Body. Spirit. We sometimes think of these as separate entities. The opposite couldn't be more true. What's good for the body is good for the mind. What's stimulating to the mind is invigorating to the spirit. And what's uplifting to the spirit usually gets the body moving!

Prayer, or meditation, is an excellent way to encourage the spirit. Simply by slowing down the mind and body, we can connect to our higher powers. Through continuous prayer/meditation, our faith grows stronger. We begin to understand our strength is not in our bodies nor in our intellect. We each have our own personal fountains of strength. And that my friends, is our spirit. Haven't you known or heard about someone who was 103 and could still light up a room? Or someone who has lost their limbs yet found a way to swim and paint? Or the person on their deathbed who could still manage a smile with a twinkle in their eye? This is the closest glimpse we will have of someone's spirit here on Earth.

By praying, we are calling on this higher power. Our minds are recognizing there is something greater than ourselves. Something greater than the sum of our parts. That something that makes us feel connected to the "other". Science hasn't been able to explain it, but there is a lot of good data and research showing the positive effects of prayer/meditation on our health.

In an article found in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, "Prayer/meditation has been found to produce a clinically significant reduction in blood pressure, to reduce heart rate,to alter levels of melatonin and serotonin,to boost the immune response, to decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species (meaning, decrease inflammation), to reduce stress and promote positive mood states, to reduce anxiety and pain and enhance self-esteem and to have a favorable influence on overall and spiritual quality of life in late-stage disease. "

So which is better? Prayer or meditation? In the same article, "Spiritual meditation has been found to be superior to secular meditation and relaxation in terms of decrease in anxiety and improvement in positive mood, spiritual health, spiritual experiences and tolerance to pain."

So whether you go to church, synagogue, mosque, buddhist temple, yoga studio, or simply say your nightly prayers at home before bed, you are reducing stress, balancing hormones, boosting the immune system and increasing your quality of life.

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https://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news/8-drinking-water2017-09-20T11:05:00-07:002017-09-20T15:02:31-07:00#8: Drinking WaterMichelle HerrmannWater. Aqua. H20. It is essential to life.Our own bodies are made up of over 60% water!We need this stuff to live, and to live optimally.So if you’re drinking water, pat yourself on the back.You are giving your body the opportunity to stay balanced and function properly.We couldn’t do much without water, it takes water to breathe, sweat, blink our eyes, speak, and move.It even takes water to digest and absorb nutrients.Water also supports our immune function by keeping our lymphatic fluid mobile and, excuse the pun, fluid.When the body gets dehydrated the lymph fluid doesn’t move as well and as we learned in a previous post, lymph fluid contains health-supporting white blood cells that need to be circulated throughout the body to take care of toxins and abnormal cells that invade our systems.Water also keeps our elimination system moving, so our waste products don’t stick around longer than they are welcome.Studies have shown that the longer waste stays in the colon, the greater risk of developing colon cancer.

Cheers!Drinking those 8 glasses of water each day is one of the best things you can do for your health.I always start my day with a big glass of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon which gently wakes up my digestive system and prepares my body and mind for the day.

But wait - it’s not all sparkling, fresh, blue, cloud dreams here.Clean water is actually very hard to find.Did you know there are contaminants in your tap water (and sometimes even your bottled water) that are harmful to your health? Water is such a precious resource to this planet that is often taken for granted and overlooked.

Pure water is probably more precious than even you realize. In this country, we know that we have more potable water than most other countries in this world.And for that we should be grateful.But who is defining the requirements for drinkable water? What systems are in place to ensure the proper amount of filtration and purification is used before our water makes it into our homes and out of our faucets?Turns out, the government does the minimum amount of filtration of water before it reaches your home.

Take a look at the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) versus the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).The MCLG is the ideal, the ‘goal’ amount of contaminants in which there is no known or expected risk to health.The actual level, or the MCL, is the level that is actually allowed in drinking water.Often, these numbers are equal but in many more cases than I feel comfortable with, the actual (MCL) level is higher than the goal (MCLG) levels.It may seem like trace amounts, but when you are talking about water that we all drink (in some cases 8 glasses per day!), bathe in, cook with, make coffee with, wash dishes with, wash our clothing in, iron clothing with, water our plants and herbs with, and sometimes even clean with, the impact of these trace amounts of contaminants starts adding up quickly.

•Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals.

•Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. MCLs are enforceable standards.

Contaminant

MCLG (Goal level)

MCL (Actual level allowed)

Potential health effects from long-term exposure above MCL

Sources of Contaminant

Beta particles and photon emitters

zero

4 millirems per year

Increased risk of cancer

Decay of natural and manmade deposits of certain minerals

Radium 226 and Radium 228

zero

5 pCi/L

Increased risk of cancer

Erosion of natural deposits

Uranium

zero

10ug/L

Increased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity

Erosion of natural deposits

Arsenic

zero

.010

Skin damage, problems with circulatory systems, may have increased risk of cancer

Erosion of natural deposits

Asbestos

7 million fibers per liter

7 million fibers per liter

Increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps

Decay of asbestos cement in water

Alachlor

zero

.002

Eye, liver, kidney, spleen problems, anemia,

increased risk of cancer

Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

Benzene

zero

.005

Anemia, decrease in blood platelets,

increased risk of cancer

Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills

Benzopyrene (PAHs)

zero

.0002

Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer

Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines

Carbon tetachloride

zero

.005

Liver problems;

Increased risk of cancer

Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities

Chlordane

zero

.002

Liver or nervous system problems;

Increased risk of cancer

Residue of banned termiticide

Chlorine

4

4

Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort

Water additive used to control microbes

1, 2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)

zero

.0002

Reproductive difficulties;

Increased risk of cancer

Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards

1, 2-Dichloroethane

zero

.005

Increased risk of cancer

Discharge from industrial chemical factories

Dichloromethane

zero

.005

Liver problems;

Increased risk of cancer

Discharge from drug and chemical factories

Diphthalate

zero

.006

Reproductive difficulties; liver problems;

Increased risk of cancer

Discharge from rubber and chemical factories

Dioxin

zero

.00000003

Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer

Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; discharge from chemical factories

Fluoride

4

4

Bone disease; Children may get mottled teeth

Water additive which promotes strong teeth; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Heptachlor

zero

.0004

Liver damage;

Increased risk of cancer

Residue of banned termiticide

Hexachlorobenzene

zero

.001

Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties;

Increased risk of cancer

Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

zero

.0005

Skin changes; thymus gland problems; immune deficiencies;

Increased risk of cancer

Runoff from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals

Vinyl Chloride

zero

.002

Increased risk of cancer

Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from plastic factories

Things like arsenic, asbestos, phthalates (endocrine disruptors), PCBs, benzenes, chloramines, run off from pesticides and herbicides, vinyl chloride, and discharge from drug and industrial chemical factories are just some of the contaminants that are NOT being filtered out of our water supply to meet the standard of the MCLG, or the level at which there is no known or expected risk to health.I would hardly call this ‘potable’ water.It is also clearly listed that ALL of these contaminants bring with them serious potential long-term health problems including increased risk of cancer.

So what are we to do, left with water that has been insufficiently filtered?I certainly wouldn’t ingest this water, none the less bathe in it, or even breathe in it's vapor while washing dishes.Did you know chlorine vaporizes at a lower temperature than water? So even if you don’t use steaming hot water to shower in or to wash dishes in, chances are there are still chlorine vapors that are making their way into your lungs. I don’t want to get too much into these scary scenarios so I’ll go ahead and tell you the best way to get pure, filtered, simple H2O.

You most likely already have a filtration system of some kind in your home already, on the countertop or in the fridge.But does it really filter out some of these carcinogenic contaminants?Popular brands usually say they will decrease the taste and odor of chlorine, but the fact of the matter is, the chlorine is still there. The standard filter pitcher will remove copper, cadmium, mercury, and zinc. Period.Popular faucet mounted filters will reduce or remove (not clear which one) lead, asbestos, benzene, TTHMs, parasites, atrazine, lindane, trichloroethylene, and particulates class 1. This is better than the pitcher filter, yet still does not completely remove the contaminants listed above and doesn’t even mention chlorine, chloramines, fluoride (more toxic than lead), phthalates, vinyl chloride, VOCs, PCBs, heptachlor (possible risk of liver damage), alachlor (may increase risk of cancer), benzopyrene (may lead to reproductive difficulties), and arsenic.

To ensure you get the cleanest, more pure water right out of your faucet, and by the way, throughout your entire home, take a look at Pure Effects Entire Home Water Filtration System.This is the system that was recommended to me by my Naturopathic Doctor because my thyroid is a little on the hypo side. With my blood results in hand, one of his first questions to me was, "do you have a water filter at home?" Turns out, the chloramines, chlorine, and fluoride in the water attaches to the iodine receptors in the body better than iodine itself. Looking at the thyroid, iodine is a nutrient that can provide balance but not if the chlorine and fluoride are getting to the receptors first. They can actually block these receptors, leading to abnormal levels of thyroid hormones.

After speaking with several specialists and plumbers in this field, I concluded that this was the best one which will remove the most contaminants.They each actually thought they themselves had the best filtration system, in their own homes and those which they sell, but when they looked at this system they were impressed.I believe the quote was, “I’ve been in this business a long time and this system is unlike anything I’ve seen.”

I’ve recently installed the under sink mounted filtration system for our kitchen sink and the shower head filter in our master bathroom.This was the most cost effective way for us to limit the toxins we were being exposed to through drinking water, shower water and vapors.Now, we can drink those 8 glasses of water worry-free, completely relishing in our 100% pure H2O.We also don’t have to worry about chlorine vapor from those hot steamy showers we love so much.And forget about the fluoride and other contaminants that we were absorbing through the skin!Did you know you absorb about 60% of what is applied to the skin?We can’t wait to take a hot steam shower and throw some organic eucalyptus essential oil on the walls to breathe in all that pure goodness!

The entire home filtration system was just out of our price range, for now.In the future we plan to add the entire home filtration system to ensure our water for washing dishes, cleaning clothes, and for our guests to bathe in will also be pure.

Go ahead and treat yourself to a steamy eucalyptus shower with 100% pure water!Click the link below to learn more about PureEffect and their amazing filtration systems...

Full disclosure: By using the link above to make a purchase, we will be sent a small affiliate commission.As a young company, we have to be creative in how we sustain our business and we also want to share with you all the good things we are doing at home soyou can benefit and improve your own health too!

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https://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news/7-walking2017-08-17T21:54:00-07:002017-08-17T22:12:19-07:00#7: WalkingMichelle HerrmannWe are all familiar with the benefits of regular exercise.However, in the days of power yoga and Crossfit, we may be over-doing it. Studies show that a consistent regimen of light to moderate exercise is the best way to improve immune function.Strenuous exercise like running and weight lifting have their merits too, for the cardiovascular system and weight loss.But simply going for a stroll around the park can offer a quick boost to the immune system leaving you in a better position to fight off those nasty cancer cells.

In a 2013 study, it was reported that postmenopausal women who walked for 7 hours or more each week were at a 14% lower risk of developing breast cancer. This held true across the board, without differences among women with higher BMI, higher estrogen levels, weight gain, or whether or not they were on a regimen of post menopausal hormone replacement therapy.

Postmenopausal or not, we can all benefit from taking a few more steps each day. Walking can lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular function, boost the immune system, and lower stress.

We all live in a time when our smart devices are on average no further than 3 feet away from us at all times thorughout the day. Not great for our stress levels, but these devices can make it so very easy to track our steps. The analog pedometer is a thing of the distant past. As long as you carry a smart phone, chances are it is already calculating your steps each and every day for you. Take a look into your applications, and maybe you even already have an app that encourages you to take more steps and compares your steps to friends, family, and others nearby.

A cancer survivor in Los Angeles describes how she used a wearable fitness tracker during her treatment, "I was able to be more active as the medications took effect, and I got a better handle on the pain". Not only did the walking seem to lessen her pain, but it became a way in which she was able to track her overall health. "When the device showed that I could manage 1,000 steps a day, I challenged myself to walk a little further". Now, she is back to doing longer hikes and averaging 10,000 steps per day.

So what is the golden number you should shoot for each day? In "How Not to Die" by Michael Greger, "walking for only 60 minutes a week only drops your mortality rate about 3 percent. But walking 300 minutes a week drops your mortality rate by 14 percent. And an hour long walk each day may reduce mortality by 24 percent!"

Like eating healthy, the more you do it the more benefits you will reap. Now go sign up for the fitness app and start tracking your steps today!

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https://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news/6-socializing2017-07-23T09:43:00-07:002017-09-20T11:05:44-07:00#6: Human ConnectionMichelle HerrmannHuman connection. I’m talking about real, authentic, intimate conversation and connection with other human beings.In this digital age we are more isolated than ever.But those of you out there who are still interacting with other humans, face-to-face, are benefitting from an emotional connection that will help you to live longer!As human beings we all need this kind of connection with others, it’s what makes us human.It’s when we are isolated and start to have feelings of loneliness that things go wrong.And you don’t actually have to be physically isolated to feel this.Plenty of people are surrounded by others on a daily basis yet they will tell you how truly lonely they feel.

Connecting with others and being kind just comes naturally to those living in the Blue Zones, which is why they tend to live to 100.The Blue Zones include places such as the Barbara region of Sardinia, Ikaria, Greece, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; the Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda, CA; and Okinawa, Japan. There are nine factors that each of these places have in common.Medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists have all studied these areas and have come up with what they are calling the “Power 9” factors. One of those factors is TRIBE.

“The social networks of long-lived people have favorably shaped their health behaviors”.By choosing a ‘tribe’ of like-minded, positive, and health conscious friends you are increasing the likelihood you will live to 100.

The good news is, you’re already doing this!Most likely you live with another human being that you enjoy spending time with.And if you don’t, you probably have some good close friends just a phone call away.And a phone call is a much better way to connect, instead of merely texting.Next time you find yourself spending time with another soul, try cutting out the small talk and get right down to the good stuff.Connect.Share.Open your heart.It goes both ways, by you sharing your own thoughts and feelings you’re getting stuff off your chest leaving you lighter and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you.And if your close friend needs to unload on you, go ahead and let them!You are there so they can work out all the things they’ve been holding onto.You don’t have to absorb what they’re putting out there, you just let it roll right off you, and be there to give a big hug once they’re done.Guess what?You’ll feel better too that you could support a friend in need.

The same goes for acts of kindness.Studies have shown that acts of kindness can decrease anxiety for those performing the act, for those receiving the act, AND for those witnessing that same act of kindness!Amazing!

“A deep sense of love and belonging is an irresistible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick.” - Brene Brown, Professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

Looking for a new tribe that you can connect with?Try a local meet-up group in your area (links below).Also, follow us on social media.There are so many wonderful people on Instagram sharing their stories and experiences fighting cancer, it is such an honor to be a part of it.

When I started this company, I was a bit worried about having to revisit cancer each day but now that I am nearly 3 months into it, the effect has been so positive and inspiring. It has taught me to love my body. There are those who have shared their experiences of cancer treatment, surgeries, side effects, and more yet they are so grateful for what their bodies have done for them and will continue to do. Complaining about a little cellulite seems so trivial now. By following this group of survivors, I have come to truly understand and internalize the phrase, "It's not what's on the outside, but what's on the inside that counts".

The goal of this blog series is not to focus on the negative - or what not to do. I started this series because I wanted to explain what positive actions you are already taking that you can feel great about! Let's reframe our thinking. Don't focus on the negative, or what to take out of your diet/lifestyle, i.e. decrease stress, decrease depression, decrease anxiety. Because then you're just left in that negative space. Let's start focusing on the positive side. Focus on what you can add to your diet/lifestyle that will increase connections with others, open your heart, boost your immune system and uplift your spirit!

September 23rd - MAX LOVE Farm to Fork Dinner • Come out to have a delicious dinner, some fun dancing and for your chance to win a Cornucopia gift basket! A portion of each sale from cornucopiabox.com benefits the MAX LOVE Project.

October 14th - Susan G. Komen Row for the Cure • Stop by and check out our packages and products, we will have a vendor stand set up!

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https://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news/5-breathing2017-07-10T10:00:00-07:002017-07-10T10:01:00-07:00#5: BreathingMichelle HerrmannIf you are reading this blog post, you are breathing.If you are breathing, you are fighting cancer. Whether you have already been diagnosed or not, your body is fighting. Our bodies produce cancer cells every single day and with a healthy immune system we can target those cells and get rid of them. But when we can't, that's when cancer becomes a problem.

When we inhale, our lungs fill with fresh oxygen and the diaphragm contracts to move downward toward the belly. As this happens, the diaphragm actually puts pressure on the large lymphatic vessels in the abdomen and chest, stimulating the otherwise stagnant lymph fluid to circulate through the body.

Only breathing and body movement can move lymphatic fluid because it doesn't get pumped through our body like blood is pumped through the heart. So why is lymphatic movement so important?

The lymphatic system is part of our immune system. The lymphatic system is in charge of taking the waste products from our bodies' metabolism and moving it through the lymph nodes, where large white blood cells remove toxins. So lymph nodes act like little filters, which is why when we get a cold our throat can be sore and our bodies ache from fighting the flu. When the lymph is restricted, detoxification cannot happen efficiently.

Breathing is one of the best ways to move this fluid so it can get to the lymph node to be cleaned up and put back into circulation. Just like when we breathe in fresh oxygen, and exhale carbon dioxide our bodies are filtering out the bad and bringing in the good.

In fact, in meditation this is typically something we like to think about. We can relax knowing that by simply taking a deep breath we are doing our bodies good.

As a Pilates instructor, I work on breathing quite a bit with my clients. While exercising, I recommend breathing in and out through the nose. This will generate more heat in the body and warm up your core. However, if you are stressed out and need to slow down and chill out, I would suggest inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

This has the opposite effect, cooling the body down and allowing you to drop into that relaxed, parasympathetic state.If you’ve been reading these blog posts from the beginning, you can tell stress has a lot to do with your health.You’re already doing some of these things.You just might need to do more of them, or in this case, take a deeper, more full breath.

We all get caught up in the hustle bustle of today’s world - social media, texting, doing everything and more. It’s easy to find yourself never really taking a deep breath.I found myself doing this and my naturopathic doctor told me the tightness in my neck and shoulders could be stemming from this ‘chest’ breathing.Even my diaphragm was tight, because I was never allowing it to drop, as in when you take a deep belly breath and the diaphragm drops in order to allow your lungs to expand.Crazy!

Now I regularly take deep breaths throughout the day, whenever I feel myself getting stressed. So go on, take a deep inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

HA! HA! HA! BHAHAHAHAHA!

Go ahead, let out a big HA!Right now.

Go ahead, nobody will care.

How do you feel? Maybe a sense of relief? Pushed out all that stale air from your lungs so you could take in more fresh air? You might have even felt your entire body relax a bit.Or maybe you even felt your heart rate increase, bringing fresh oxygenated blood to your limbs?

Laughing can do all this and more.It stimulates your body in a way that is similar to exercise, activating the ‘stress’ response in your body, just like exercise does, which results in a relaxed feeling afterwards. So no more excuses why you can’t exercise.You can still laugh and get some of the same benefits!During a good belly laugh, your organs are stimulated, happy hormones are released from your brain, and fresh oxygenated blood leaves you feeling relaxed, calm and happy. In short, the entire body is happy and smiling.

By releasing the stress we hold in our bodies, we are minimizing the burden on our organs and systems. In particular, the immune system. In an article found on mayoclinic.org,

“Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. In contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.”

So laughter is just another tool we can use to encourage the body to heal. It leaves the body in a relaxed (parasympathetic) nervous state otherwise known as the "rest and digest" state. When our bodies are relaxed, our gut is able to break down food, absorb nutrients and excrete toxins. But, when we are in that "fight or flight" state, activating the sympathetic nervous system, our bodies are focused on the danger at hand, whether that's a predator or stressful situation and forget about the digestion happening in the gut. We literally have bigger fish to fry.

When we are unable to completely break down food, conditions like "leaky gut" can occur. This is when that undigested food causes inflammation in the gut, allowing food particles to escape from the lining of the digestive tract. What happens next? The immune system has to kick in, sending white blood cells to the area, increasing inflammation even further. The immune system takes care of the undigested food and clears it from the body, but it takes a lot of energy to do this. This is a job meant for the acid and enzymes in the digestive tract.

There's yet another connection between the gut and the immune system. About 70-80% of our immune system is located in the gut! All those microbes and bacteria are hard at work getting rid of viruses and other harmful bacteria we ingest through our food. So when the gut is not happy and smiling you can bet the immune system feels the same way. And we all know the immune system is the gatekeeper against cancer. If the immune system can't do it's job efficiently, cancer can walk right in through the front door.

Laughter is just one more way you can support your body so it can function properly. In the world of holistic health and nutrition, we take everything into account and how it effects the body. Nothing happens in isolation. So let's support our bodies with nutrient dense foods, invigorate our minds with knowledge, and uplift our spirits with laughter that we can feel in our bellies.

If you couldn't produce a laugh for yourself earlier, here’s a few one-liners to get you going…

What’s Forrest Gump’s password?

So two snare drums and a cymbal fall off a cliff…

What does a nosy pepper do?

Feel better? Thought so. Keep it up, and find even more ways to laugh every single day! Share your own jokes below to spread the laughter! Follow us on social media for more one-liners releasing this week!

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https://cornucopiabox.com/blogs/news/3-drinking-coffee2017-06-21T15:14:00-07:002017-06-23T12:38:50-07:00#3: Drinking CoffeeMichelle HerrmannYes, the debate around coffee has been going on for years. Is it healthy? Is it dehydrating? Is it energizing? Is it the only way to have a bowel movement in the morning?Is it the lesser of another evil?All of these things might be true. But, not all coffee is created equal so keep reading and you'll soon be brewing the healthiest and most delicious cup of coffee that you can feel great about!

Coffee is American’s #1 source of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are cancer fighting powerhouses that blast out free radicals from the body.Free radicals are what cause inflammation, or ‘oxidization”, which after years can increase your cancer risk. Recently, several studies have linked moderate coffee consumption to a lower risk of colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancer. So, the more antioxidants you consume, the better protection you will have against that nasty disease.

Coffee also contains other beneficial nutrients such as polyphenols, which can also be found in spinach, tea, and red wine. In your morning cup of joe, you will also benefit from some micronutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and niacin. Lots to feel good about! But like I said before, not all coffee is created equal. So what should you look for?

Like most things, fresher is always better and the same goes for coffee beans. Not only for better flavor, but the antioxidant count will be much higher in coffee beans that have been freshly roasted than beans that were roasted a year ago or even just months ago. So when possible, get your beans from a local roaster each week to optimize your coffee's cancer fighting properties!But let's be real. Polyphenols and anti-oxidants are probably not the main reason you drink coffee every morning. Most Americans are looking for that glorious boost of energy that gets our day started off right! CAFFEINE!! And after a night with one too many glasses of wine, we sure do need any boost we can get!

But caffeine can be detrimental to some.I have to stay away from it because I get migraine headaches from caffeine withdrawal.I also have fibrocystic breasts and caffeine makes that worse. Stress is also something I am learning to manage and coffee certainly doesn't help me in that aspect. When our bodies are stressed, cortisol is produced and when we are stressed chronically, the body’s hormones can become imbalanced. Cue adrenal fatigue. Cue thyroid problems. So, for me, coffee is the catalyst to all of that. After many years of falling in and out of regular coffee consumption I have slowly come to the realization, no matter how much I love the aroma, the taste, the ritual, the CULTure of coffee, it just doesn't serve my body in a positive way (but I'll tell you what does in a minute). Does this mean decaffeinated coffee is the better choice? Unfortunately, no. Decaf coffee has been put through a process that removes most of the caffeine from the coffee bean. During this process, a chemical called trichloroethylene is used. This chemical is a solvent and is typically used in dry cleaning. Most likely this is not something you want coming into contact with your food. And I think we can all agree most decaf coffee isn't worth drinking anyways, unless you are having a little coffee with your milk and sugar.

So, if caffeine is something you'd like to limit, try a cappuccino or latte instead, preferably with a dairy-free milk (I prefer rice or oat milk). Believe it or not, a shot of espresso contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee yet still has all the beneficial nutrients of coffee discussed above. While visiting Costa Rica, our knowledgeable barista explained this to us...When a shot of espresso is made, it takes only about 20 seconds for the hot water to be pushed through the grinds creating that dark, delicious brew with that velvety, creamy head. However, with traditional drip coffee it takes much longer; the beans are subjected to a longer brew time which means there is more time for caffeine to be released from the grinds. A single shot of espresso typically contains 58 to 76 milligrams of caffeine while a single cup of drip coffee can contain anywhere between 72 and 130 milligrams of caffeine!

Like any drug, caffeine should be used carefully and with caution. Drinking 5+ cups of coffee everyday is not the best idea for several reasons. 1. Dehydration 2. Anxiety 3. Heartburn 4. Added stress (leading to possible hormonal imbalances) 5. Sleep disorders (leading to mood disorders and overeating) The list could go on. BUT - with moderation comes lots of benefits. Choose quality over quantity. One or two really good cups of coffee in the morning, with a balanced diet and proper hydration, will most likely not cause any of those nasty things listed above and will allow you to benefit fully from all the good things coffee can offer. If you're prone to heartburn, try drinking cold-brewed coffee which is much less acidic than regular, hot coffee. And if you're having trouble sleeping, limit your coffee habit to the morning, without letting it sneak into the afternoon or evening. Caffeine takes at least 8 hours to clear you body, so you don't want to drink it too close to bedtime.

Coffee beans are very similar to the produce you buy at the grocery store and should be treated the same way. Buy fresh, buy often, and buy organic. Coffee beans, like other produce, has been treated with the same pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals that was used on your salad. Then, those beans are roasted. Further changing the chemical makeup of those chemicals (probably not a good thing) and then we take the grinds, run hot water through them, and drink the residue. Even if you aren't into organic foods, as a coffee connoisseur, you probably don't want any notes of pesticides in your morning brew. Moral of the story - always buy organic and enjoy a better, healthier cup of coffee.

But if you're like me and coffee just doesn't sit right with you, try a matcha green tea latte instead. As you probably know, green tea is likely the most health supportive drink in the world. Just like coffee, it offers anti-oxidants, polyphenols, and plenty of trace minerals. It also offers a good amount of caffeine, but usually without the jittery, anxious feeling. I can tell my body just prefers green tea, and my tastebuds prefer matcha green tea with almond, coconut, or rice milk. Delicious! Check out our Instagram page for my absolute favorite matcha green tea harvested from leaves in Japan. Follow us @cornucopiabox

Any dentist will tell you, oral health is a big indicator of overall health.By simply brushing your teeth everyday (hopefully twice a day), you are removing bacteria, plaque, and toxins from your mouth that could otherwise cause disease.

Specifically, in a study supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the oral bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum has been linked to colorectal cancer. This bacteria has a strong ability to attach to the plaque in your mouth thus promoting gum disease and infections of the head, neck, chest, lung, liver, and abdomen. So keep up the good work against those nasty toxins hanging out between your teeth, and keep on brushing! And maybe you'll want to add a couple extra minutes to your routine...

What more can you do?

Flossing is a huge part of oral health.Try to get in the habit of flossing, and if you fall off the wagon it’s OK - just get right back on. Flossing at least during the week is a huge improvement.Set a goal for yourself that is reasonable and attainable.

Also, mouthwash can provide a quick way to flush out any leftover bacteria after brushing by using a natural, anti-bacterial mouthwash.Typically, when a patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation their health care provider recommends using Biotène(“#1 Dentist Recommended brand) as a mouth rinse.Biotène happens to contain Propylene Glycol, an ingredient also found in anti-freeze.

At Cornucopia, we will help you to eliminate toxins you come into contact with in everyday products and guide you to products that are organic, non-toxic and health-promoting.Our favorite mouth rinse is Nature’s Brands Organic Mouthwash Concentrate with essential oils. you can find this product in "The Nourish Package". This mouthwash was designed to include essential oils that are excellent for oral health such as peppermint, fennel, thyme, cinnamon and clove. Fennel, thyme and clove are anti-bacterial while peppermint freshens the breath.Clove works as a natural analgesic, giving relief to canker sores.Cinnamon is also a breath freshener which contains lots of anti-oxidants.Of course, all essential oils here are organic, hexane free, cold pressed, non-refined and non-deodorized.

Why use essential oils? Essential oil mouth rinses have been proven to lower gingivitis and plaque more than the conventional mouthwash, when added to abrushing and flossing regimen (see links to research below).This particular product also does not include alcohol, which can be irritating to sensitive, dry mouths.

When we sleep, we are resting, recharging and allowing the body to heal.The brain detoxes, eliminates waste products and firms up important connections that improve your memory, learning, and decision making processes.Sleep also affects our emotions. And, no, it has nothing to do with what side of the bed you woke up on!Studies have linked sleep deficiency to such emotional disturbances as depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.After a good night’s rest your body feels it, and you are in the right state of mind, positive and strong!

When your brain has gotten enough rest, it allows you to make better decisions during the day.That means less food cravings and poor decision making surrounding food.A recent study found those who don’t get enough sleep tend to be more over weight and eat more calories throughout the day.A separate study found that obesity increases cancer risk.So sleep tight, sleep well and eat well!

Sleep also allows the immune system to recuperate.While you are sleeping, the immune system is hard at work producing cytokines.Cytokines are proteins that are needed to fight off infections or inflammation.These proteins are super beneficial to your body during periods of stress.

Stress = inflammation = dis-ease.

Get to bed a little early tonight to give your immune system some extra time to produce those coveted cytokines!

So, by getting your full 8 hours you are not only boosting your immune system, but you are also ensuring your mind’s ability to think positively and rationally. Both are essential to preventing dis-ease.Take the time each morning to enjoy the first moment you’re awake and be grateful for all the cancer-fighting benefits you have just enjoyed - your body and mind are ready for the day!

But WAIT - you don’t sleep WELL?NO worries.We’ve got you covered.Good quality sleep is much better than just spending more time in bed.Unless you’re doing this one other thing…which is also stress relieving…

Cornucopia's Guide to the Ultimate Sleeping Experience:

Make the bedroom a sacred place.

Use the bed for two things ONLY. hint: the first thing is sleep. We’ll let you guess the second.

No technology 30 minutes before sleep. If you absolutely have to check your phone before bed, then make sure your Night Shift setting is turned ON. I have mine set to follow the sunrise and sunset. This decreases the amount of wake-cycle inducing blue light I come into contact with when the sun is down.

Get some exercise during the day, even a 30 minute walk is great!

Limit caffeine to before 12noon.

Try valerian root tea in the evening. Valerian root is a natural sleep-aid.

Block any and all light coming into the bedroom. If this is not possible, try sleeping with an eye mask. What a difference this makes!!

Set your room temperature to 65 degrees. Ideal range is 60-68 degrees. A cooler bedroom will mimic your body’s natural inclination to decrease temperature during sleep, and it will help to keep you asleep.

If you tend to wake up in the middle of the night hungry, make sure to have a small snack before bed - I recommend a handful of nuts which are slower burning calories, keeping you fuller longer, without giving you a blood sugar crash in the middle of the night.

Invest in better sleep hygiene. Buy a brand new pillow to ensure less mold and mildew. Try a silk pillowcase! Or even silk sheets! This will make for a luxuriously healthy night's rest.

Make your bed every morning and keep your bedroom neat.

Have a humidifier or essential oil diffuser going over night to prevent breathing in dry air and to help the body relax.

Have green plants in your bedroom to improve air quality and boost oxygen.

Now, doesn't that sound just wonderful? Implement a few of these suggestions and you'll be on your way to a better night's rest and a more productive tomorrow.

At Cornucopia, our mission is to nourish the body, mind, and spirit of cancer patients all while detoxing the environment. By partnering with Mulberry Park Silks, we are able to offer a product that is in-line with our mission. Their 100% pure silk pillowcases are free of chemicals, hypoallergenic, sustainable, and OEKO-TEX® Certified.

Most importantly, they offer a friction-free, hydrating, surface that minimizes hair breakage. This keeps the hair follicle in-tact and allows hair to grow back much sooner. Cotton pillowcases are super absorbent, dehydrating to your hair and skin. Did you know cotton can absorb 27 times its own weight in water? Cotton pillowcases also add a great deal of friction to an already weak and damaged follicle which causes breakage.

Dennis F. from Oklahoma bought a Mulberry Park Silks pillowcase for his wife who is currently fighting cancer.His wife lost her hair due to chemotherapy treatment and when it started to eventually grow back, it only grew back on the side and top of her head.Then, Dennis bought her a Mulberry Park Silks pillowcase. Within a week, she noticed a difference. It wasn’t much longer after that when she felt the back of her head and thought no hair was growing at all but quickly realized it had already grown back so long that it was laying down flat!

As anyone in Dennis’ wife’s situation knows, it can be emotionally very difficult to lose your hair, especially as a woman. Our hair gives us a sense of femininity, confidence and the look of youth/health. When you not only feel terrible from the treatment, but then you also feel like you ‘look’ less than your best, it can be discouraging. With these pillowcases, that sense of confidence can return much quicker, providing a source of strength to keep on fighting.

Did you know cotton is traditionally grown using tons of pesticides - pesticides that are carcinogens(cyanazine, dicofol, naled, propargite and trifluralin)? In fact, cotton is the most pesticide-laden crop grown on Earth, accounting for 11% of the world’s pesticide market and 24% of global insecticide sales.And that’s before harvesting and production!

Mulberry Park Silks’ 100% Chemical-free pillowcase is clearly the better choice here.You can get a good night’s rest, worry-free, and watch your hair grow back instead of sleeping 8 hours each night on the toxic alternative.

Silk is not only the healthiest choice but it is the most luxurious as well.Why not pamper yourself a little bit? As a caring husband, Dennis explained to me,

“when someone is fighting cancer, anything you can do that gives a little bit of pleasure along the way is well worth it”.

You can purchase the Mulberry Park Silks pillowcase as featured in The Chemo Care Package...

Our philosophy of health comes from a holistic point of view.

Nourishment comes in many forms.

eating organic whole foods

detoxing your environment

learning to manage stress

appropriate exercise

and healthy relationships with loved-ones.

Epsom Salts

For example, we are nourished by what we absorb through our largest organ, the skin. Epsom salt baths are just one way we consume nutrients(i.e. magnesium) through our skin. Magnesium is used by the body to relax muscles, balance electrolytes, build bone, and to keep our gut humming along at a good pace. Nothing is better than a warm bath filled with epsom salts and essential oils to relax your muscles, de-stress, and float away into a state of zen!

Organic Cancer Care Packages

The products we consume have a great impact on our health which is why our in-house Holistic Nutritionist has curated our cancer care packages to include the highest quality, non-toxic, nutrient dense, organic, and stress relieving products on the market today.

Whether your loved-one is going through traditional cancer treatment or wanting to decrease their total toxic-load, send them a beautiful care package filled with nourishment from Cornucopia.

Cancer is an all-encompassing disease.

You deserve an all-encompassing solution.

This is where holistic health comes in. Holistic nutrition is not just about the food you eat --- did you know that your body's nutrient levels are also affected by your thoughts, emotions, exercise, and your surroundings?

By nourishing the body, mind, spirit, and environment, you are able to impact your health in profound ways.

Cornucopia: symbol of nourishment and abundance.

At Cornucopia, we have done years of research and study in order to bring you the highest quality, non-toxic, nutrient dense, organic, and stress relieving products that your loved-one will need in their battle against cancer. We have even put them into beautiful little packages ready to be sent quickly to your loved-one in need.

Consuming organic whole foods, detoxing your environment, learning to manage stress, practicing proper exercise, and fostering healthy relationships with loved-ones is so important to our overall health at anytime throughout our lives. BUT -- when cancer is present this becomes critical.

All of these methods will decrease the total toxic load that your body is carrying. Less toxins = better health.

Our in-house Holistic Nutritionist has curated our care packages for you to send to your family, friends, co-workers and loved-ones who are battling cancer, or looking to prevent it from reoccurring, or even hoping to prevent it from happening in the first place. We have put a lot of thought into these packages and we know they will make things just a little bit easier for your loved-one.

Our 100% organic herbal teas will offer an abundance of micronutrients while also providing a warm, soothing, moment of relaxation that your loved-one deserves.

Our silk pillowcases provide a luxurious night's rest. Our silk is hypoallergenic, free of chemicals, and naturally dyed. These pillowcases are less dehydrating than cotton and cause less friction - which means less hair loss.

Each organic care package is meant to be used as a supplement to traditional medical treatments, and as a replacement to other mainstream products that are toxic, nutrient-depleting and carcinogenic. Instead of sending a macaroni and cheese casserole, why not send something that is organic, delicious, stress-relieving, thoughtful and most of all, empowering?